North Texas fans ‘thrilled’ with breakout season under McCarney

Sports writer Brett Vito of the Denton Record Chronicle took time out this week to answer some of our questions about the North Texas Mean Green. UTSA will play North Texas in Denton Saturday afternoon. Here’s what Brett had to say about the Mean Green, who have posted a 7-3 record, 5-1 in Conference USA:

What’s the mood in Denton with the Mean Green apparently headed to a bowl game for the first time in nine years?

People are thrilled. It’s been eight long years for UNT since the end of its four-year run as Sun Belt Conference champions. UNT struggled mightily in the years between the last of its four New Orleans Bowl appearances in 2004 and the arrival of Dan McCarney, who has rebuilt the program for the last couple of years. There is a sense around UNT that the program is on its way now. Apogee Stadium is still pretty new and very nice. McCarney has the program headed in the right direction and people are starting to notice in Denton, Texas and even nationally.

After a couple of tough seasons at North Texas, coach Dan McCarney seems to have turned the corner with this team. How did he do it?

There is just no understating what a terrible situation McCarney walked into. UNT had struggled for years, had a bad reputation across the state and needed to rebuild around a core of a few good players. It’s been a slow process, but McCarney changed the culture of the program. The spread went out the window and was replaced by a physical approach that emphasized defense and running the ball. UNT also began recruiting better and worked through its off-the-field problems with academics and behavioral issues. The fans are starting to buy in and come back. McCarney talked just yesterday about how the process was harder than he ever thought it would be, but he eventually got it done.

How much did Apogee Stadium cost and how did North Texas pull together the resources to build it?

The interesting aspect of the way the stadium came together is that it was a long-term project that came together in steps. UNT built a new athletic center that opened around 2004. The plan the entire time was for that facility to be part of the overall football complex.UNT added the stadium that ran $78 million in 2011 and then helped cover the cost of a bridge that connects its athletic village with the main campus. UNT’s locker room and training facilities were part of the original athletic center. Because it came together in steps, it’s hard to peg exactly what the whole facility cost, but it is easily a $100 million complex. UNT also built Apogee in the middle of the recession. UNT athletic director Rick Villarreal has told the story of how some companies built parts of the stadium for cost just to keep its workers working. Bottom line, UNT got a bargain. UNT got the money to do it through a student fee, private donations and a series of naming rights deal, including a $20 million deal with Apogee for the overall naming rights to the venue.

Who is the most valuable player on the North Texas team this year and why? Any other candidates?

There are about three guys who one could make a case for, but I’ll say linebacker Zach Orr. The senior leads UNT in tackles, (96), fumble recoveries (four) and forced fumbles (three). UNT has been terrific defensively late this year and Orr is the key reason. He is the heart and soul of UNT’s defense and UNT’s team in general. He’s a three-time team captain. One could also make a case for wide receiver Brelan Chancellor, who leads UNT in receiving yards (667) and total yards (1,603). Chancellor is a terrific kick returner. The other guy one could make an argument for is Derek Thompson, who has thrown for 2,238 yards and 13 touchdowns. UNT would likely be starting a freshman if it wasn’t for the senior, who has handled the job and all that comes with it.

How do you think the game with UTSA will go?

Both teams are playing really well right now, but it’s gotten to the point that I’m starting to think UNT is a team of destiny. Nothing went right for UNT for so long. Now everything is going the Mean Green’s way. UNT has remained healthy most of the year. The only guys the team has lost are at running back, where the Mean Green is really deep. UNT’s seniors are playing at their best and see their goals within reach. I also think they have a firm grasp on how much this game means to their fans. UNT is celebrating its 100th year of football. UTSA is new to the party and is arguably the team on the schedule the longtime Mean Green fan wants to beat the most. My guess is UNT keeps its roll going in a competitive game.